Kenneth Wayne Wagoner passed May 4, 2023, surrounded by family. He was 77.
Kenneth was born July 12, 1945 in San Antonio, Texas to parents Walter Lee and Gertie May Wagoner. The family moved frequently for Walter’s work, exposing Kenneth to much of Texas and New Mexico before returning to San Antonio to finish high school. After graduating in 1962 Kenneth attended Arlington University and Uvalde Jr. College in 1963. In 1969, Perry Metheny talked him into joining the San Antonio Fire Department, where he worked for 32 years. During that time he became a paramedic for 12 years. He then went back as an engineer, fighting fires and driving engines. Kenneth was never one to flinch at danger, whether that be rushing to aid the wounded of the 79’ fiesta shooting or putting out a house fire with a garden hose, the only thing handy. Kenneth’s infectious passion for service saved countless lives and touched many more. He would go on to marry the love of his life Mary Grant Wagoner in 1967, who would be mother to his two sons and his companion for life.
Kenneth was known for his larger-than-life personality and sharp wit. If he knew you odds are he had a special name for you. He knew few strangers and to be his friend was really more like family. If the Metheny Brothers were singing somewhere you could rest assured he would get up and put on a performance himself. People gravitated to him which was remarkable being he had such a short fuse. He had an uncontrollable need to tell you how he felt. Never violent but outspoken for sure. It was colorful and had a real humorous vibe to it. So much that his closest friends would often purposefully light that fuse. He had more one-liners and sayings than any man to date. He was loved by so many it was a standing joke to count how many people he knew in some of the most remote places in the United States. His love of life and people made him a person most sought to find. If you were a friend for a day it was for life. He was the life of the party and could command a room with his charm and life stories. Although he may have grown out of his fieriness, his sense of humor remained too the end which he wore as an ever-present, slight smile.
He is survived by brother James Wagoner and Wife Mary Grant Wagoner, Sons Robert Wagoner and Kirk Wagoner and wife Kami, grandchildren Madison Sostorich and husband Mitchell, Grant Wagoner, Noah Davila, Griffin Wagoner, and Great Granddaughter Rowan Sostorich.
He is preceded in death by parents Walter Lee and Gertie May Wagoner, and brother Dick Wagoner.
Visitation will be at 9AM Thursday Morning, May 11, 2023, followed by Memorial Service at 10 AM at First Baptist Church – 308 W Hondo Ave, Devine, TX. The family has requested donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or the Devine Education Foundation in lieu of flowers.